Patents by Inventor Robert Feurle

Robert Feurle has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7078133
    Abstract: A photolithographic mask has the advantage that a combination of dummy structures, whose pattern is imaged into the resist layer, and auxiliary structures, whose pattern is not imaged into the resist layer, makes it possible to achieve a significant improvement in the imaging properties of the main structures which are disposed at an edge of a region containing a multiplicity of main structures. In particular, constrictions at the structures can be significantly reduced or completely avoided and/or a so-called “tilting” of the structures under non-optimum focus conditions is significantly reduced or completely avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Lothar Bauch, Robert Feurle, Ina Voigt, Helmut Wurzer
  • Patent number: 6922764
    Abstract: A memory is provided which has a memory region for storing data, an input for receiving a data bundle with a plurality of temporally sequential data blocks and an input for receiving a data mask signal which is assigned to the data bundle. The memory also has a unit for receiving a data block from the plurality of temporally sequential data bundle data blocks which is to be written into the memory region in dependence on the data mask signal. The memory also includes a unit for writing the received data block into the memory region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Dortu, Robert Feurle, Paul Schmölz, Andreas Täuber
  • Patent number: 6894379
    Abstract: A printed circuit board system includes a printed circuit board device having a multiple access signal line. A plurality of semiconductor apparatuses are arranged on the printed circuit board device. Each semiconductor apparatus includes a signal connection point to be connected to the multiple access signal line; and a signal transmission device for controlling presence of an output signal at the signal connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Robert Feurle
  • Patent number: 6816432
    Abstract: It is known to adapt the dimensions of transistors, in particular a layer thickness of a local gate oxide in a manner dependent on an operating voltage. Therefore, semiconductor circuits having transistors with different operating voltages are provided with transistors having gate oxides of different thicknesses. This allows the gate oxide thickness to be influenced even more extensively. In this case, account is taken of the fact that infrequently addressed transistors, in particular memory transistors given the same gate oxide thickness, have a significantly longer lifetime than frequently switched transistors. An integrated semiconductor circuit having transistors whose gate oxide thicknesses are adapted to the switching frequency having different magnitudes, is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Robert Feurle, Dominique Savignac
  • Patent number: 6781220
    Abstract: In a semiconductor memory device, a printed circuit board connects a memory chip to an external circuit. The printed circuit board includes a multiplicity of pads arranged in a column. These pads connect the board to the memory chip. The board also includes a multiplicity of data terminals arranged in at least two columns and connected to the pads by data connections. The data connections are configured such that each data connection has essentially the same electrical properties as any other data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andreas Täube, Jean-Marc Dortu, Paul Schmölz, Robert Feurle
  • Patent number: 6768693
    Abstract: An integrated dynamic memory contains a control circuit for controlling a refresh mode in which the memory cells undergo refreshing of their contents. A controllable frequency generator serves for setting a refresh frequency. A temperature sensor circuit detects a temperature of the memory and outputs a first reference value, and an externally writable circuit is provided for outputting a second reference value. The temperature sensor circuit and the externally writable circuit are alternatively connectible to the control input of the frequency generator for setting the refresh frequency. If the externally writable circuit has been written, the second reference value, which corresponds to a temperature, is fed to the frequency generator; otherwise, the first reference value is supplied. In this manner, users of the memory that are unable to measure temperature can expediently optimize the power consumption that is necessary for standby mode and reduce it at low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Robert Feurle, Thomas Borst, Jens Egerer
  • Patent number: 6751145
    Abstract: The volatile semiconductor memory is constructed from a plurality of memory segments. The information stored in the memory cells must be regularly reconditioned. Here, the time interval after the expiry of which the memory contents of the memory cells are reconditioned is set individually for each memory segment using corresponding subcircuits. The subcircuits receive, in a cyclical sequence, a refresh instruction. The passing on of the refresh instruction to the respective memory segment is interrupted if the segment-specific refresh time has not yet expired. This method of driving is implemented very easily and in a space-saving and cost-effective way in terms of circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Robert Feurle, Dominique Savignac
  • Patent number: 6728143
    Abstract: An integrated memory having a memory cell array has a control circuit for controlling a memory access for reading out or writing a data signal of one of the memory cells. The control circuit receives, for a memory access, an access command in the form of an activation command, a read command or a write command. Furthermore, the control circuit is designed and can be operated in such a way that, for a memory access, a configuration value for a CAS latency and/or a configuration value for specifying a burst access is received in a combined manner with the access command. As a result, a mode register and a corresponding programming step for programming the register can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Robert Feurle
  • Patent number: 6707705
    Abstract: In order to operate an integrated dynamic memory having a memory cell array having bit lines and word lines a plurality of individual actions—to be performed for a memory access—from the activation of one of the word lines up to the precharging of the word lines are controlled in a synchronized manner with a clock signal. A value for defining a defined number of clock cycles between at least two individual actions is programmed at the beginning. For this purpose, a control circuit has a programmable unit. In this way, in conjunction with a clocked circuit, a comparatively high data throughput is made possible even at variable clock frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Paul Schmölz, Jean-Marc Dortu, Robert Feurle, Andreas Täuber
  • Patent number: 6700831
    Abstract: An integrated memory has a plurality of memory cell arrays. The memory cell arrays are in each case assigned a decoder for selecting bit lines and word lines. In order to trigger an access cycle for a memory cell access, a write command or a read command with an active state is generated. Within the access cycle, under the control of a control circuit, respective decoders of the memory cell arrays are driven and data of each of the memory cell arrays are successively read out or written in for as long as the read command or write command remains in the active state. As a result, it is possible to set a comparatively large variable burst length of the memory. A method for operating an integrated memory is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Robert Feurle
  • Patent number: 6646908
    Abstract: The integrated memory chip has an external control terminal, a dynamic memory, and a control circuit for controlling a memory access to the dynamic memory. The control circuit is connected to the external control terminal, for receiving an access command indicating the beginning of a memory access. The control circuit further has an output, which is connected to the dynamic memory, for outputting at least one activation signal, read command or write command and precharge command generated from the access command. This makes it possible, in the case of use in a data processing system, to dispense with a DRAM controller provided outside the memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Andreas Täuber, Robert Feurle, Paul Schmölz, Jean-Marc Dortu
  • Patent number: 6643211
    Abstract: What is specified is an integrated memory having a plurality of memory cell arrays that are each assigned row decoders and column decoders. During read or write operations in the present integrated memory, in each case at least two word lines are activated simultaneously, in each case only one bit line being selected simultaneously. Compared with conventional memory architectures, this results in a high data rate even at very high frequencies and with a variable burst length, and additionally in a comparatively low power loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Robert Feurle
  • Patent number: 6639825
    Abstract: The data memory device has a plurality of memory cells for storing data which are represented by a first physical value of the storing memory elements, especially their conductivity or charge. The memory elements are, for example, storage capacitors. A detection device detects the first physical value representing the data and a second detection device is provided for detecting a second physical value of the storage cells or constituents of the same, especially of the storage element, especially the leakage current of the storage capacitor provided for storing the data. The second physical value represents a second detectable item of information in addition to the first physical value representing the data, independently of the first physical value. The invention also relates to a method for permanently storing information in storage cells of a data storage device for reversibly or permanently storing data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Robert Feurle, Helmut Schneider
  • Patent number: 6628553
    Abstract: A data output interface, in particular for semiconductor memories, provides a plurality of output drivers for providing data output signals in a manner dependent on a read command and a clock signal. In order to signal to a microprocessor that can be connected to the data output that data are provided, a data provision signal is additionally provided by a further output driver. The arrangement described can preferably be used for DDR-SDRAMs and enables particularly high clock frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Robert Feurle, Paul Schmölz, Jean-Marc Dortu, Andreas Täuber
  • Patent number: 6614706
    Abstract: The voltage regulating circuit, in particular for semiconductor memories, has a reference-voltage generator for generating a reference voltage, an in-phase element for providing a regulated voltage, and an error amplifier for forming a control loop. The in-phase element has a plurality of transistors which are permanently connected to one another on the control side and the load terminals of which are disconnectably connected, in dependence on the required drive strength, to a terminal that outputs the regulated voltage. The voltage regulating circuit is particularly suitable for supplying the voltage for embedded DRAM memories with an application-dependent storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Robert Feurle
  • Patent number: 6615289
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor chip is connected to external terminals with all of its data-carrying bonding pads. One of a plurality of possible data input/data output organizational forms is preset for a normal mode. Not all of the data-carrying bonding pads are used for the normal mode. During a test mode all of the data-carrying bonding pads are used. Thus, irrespective of the preset data input/data output organizational form, a uniform test mode requiring a minimal expenditure of time is possible. A method for controlling a semiconductor chip is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Robert Feurle, Helmut Schneider
  • Publication number: 20030156483
    Abstract: An integrated dynamic memory contains a control circuit for controlling a refresh mode in which the memory cells undergo refreshing of their contents. A controllable frequency generator serves for setting a refresh frequency. A temperature sensor circuit detects a temperature of the memory and outputs a first reference value, and an externally writable circuit is provided for outputting a second reference value. The temperature sensor circuit and the externally writable circuit are alternatively connectible to the control input of the frequency generator for setting the refresh frequency. If the externally writable circuit has been written, the second reference value, which corresponds to a temperature, is fed to the frequency generator; otherwise, the first reference value is supplied. In this manner, users of the memory that are unable to measure temperature can expediently optimize the power consumption that is necessary for standby mode and reduce it at low temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Feurle, Thomas Borst, Jens Egerer
  • Publication number: 20030152846
    Abstract: A photolithographic mask has the advantage that a combination of dummy structures, whose pattern is imaged into the resist layer, and auxiliary structures, whose pattern is not imaged into the resist layer, makes it possible to achieve a significant improvement in the imaging properties of the main structures which are disposed at an edge of a region containing a multiplicity of main structures. In particular, constrictions at the structures can be significantly reduced or completely avoided and/or a so-called “tilting” of the structures under non-optimum focus conditions is significantly reduced or completely avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Lothar Bauch, Robert Feurle, Ina Voigt, Helmut Wurzer
  • Publication number: 20030126382
    Abstract: A memory is provided which has a memory region for storing data, an input for receiving a data bundle with a plurality of temporally sequential data blocks and an input for receiving a data mask signal which is assigned to the data bundle. The memory also has a unit for receiving a data block from the plurality of temporally sequential data bundle data blocks which is to be written into the memory region in dependence on the data mask signal. The memory also includes a unit for writing the received data block into the memory region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Dortu, Robert Feurle, Paul Schmolz, Andreas Tauber
  • Publication number: 20030089982
    Abstract: A printed circuit board system includes a printed circuit board device having a multiple access signal line. A plurality of semiconductor apparatuses are arranged on the printed circuit board device. Each semiconductor apparatus includes a signal connection point to be connected to the multiple access signal line; and a signal transmission device for controlling presence of an output signal at the signal connection point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Feurle